Apparatus for increasing the cross-sectional area of metal rails or analogous articles.



No. 670,592. I Patented Ma 26, I901.

a. s. MERRILL. APPARATUS FOR INCREASING THE GROSS SEGTIONAL-AHEA 0F METAL RA I LS 0R ANALOGUUS ARTICLES (Application filedAugL 3, 1909.)

4 Sheets-Sheet I.

(No Model.)

WITNESSES:

No. 670,592. Patent'ad Mar. 26, I90L- G. S. MERRILL. APPARATUS FOR INCREASING THE CROSS SE CTIONAL AREA OF METAL RAILS 0B ANALOGOUS ABT|CLES (Application filed Aug. 3, 1900.) (No Model.) 4 Sheets-Shaat 2..

INVENTOR aim-1;, ATTORNEYS.

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; WITNESSES No. 70,592. Y Pat'ented Mar. 26, mm. a. s. MERRILL.

APPARATUS FUR INCREASING THE CROSS SECTIO'NAL AREA OF METAL RAILS 0R ANALUGOUS ARTICLES,

m licau'on filed Au 3, 1900. A (No Model.) 6 4 Sheets-Shout 3.

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No. 670.592. Patented Mar. 26, I90l.

G. S. MERRILL.

APPARATUS FOR INCBEASINE'THE CROSS SECTIONAL AREA OF METAL RAILS 0R ANALDGDUS ART|-CLES (Application filed Aug. 3, 1900.) No Model.) 4 Shaats-$haet '4.

, wum I llllillllllllllllllll Hlll'llllllIIIH 1 WITNESSES: INVENTOR ATTORNEYS,

CQIINITED STATES ATENT FFICE.

GEORGE SPENCER MERRILL, OF BELOIT, WISCONSIN, ASSIGNOR TO MERRILL PROCESS STEEL COMPANY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

APPARATUS FOR INCREASING THE CROSS-SECTIONAL AREA OF METAL RAILS 0R ANALOGOUS ARTICLES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No; 670,592, dated March 26, 1901. Original application filed November 4:, 1898, Serial No. 695,524. Divided and this application filed August 3, 1900. Serial No. 25,753. (No model.)

To all whom it mag concern.-

Be it known that I, GEORGE SPENCER MER- RILL, a citizen of the United States, residing at Beloit, in the county of Rock and State of Wisconsin, have made certain new and useful Improvements in Apparatus for Increasing the Gross-Sectional Area of Metal Rails or Analogous Articles, of which the following is a specification.

My present apparatus is especially useful in carrying out a certain art of increasing the cross-sectional area of metal rails and analogous articles described and claimed in an application, Serial No. 695,524, for United States Letters Patent filed November 4, 1898, and of which my present application is'a division.

The apparatus invented by me is adapted to increase the average cross-sectional area of articles, preferably rails. It is provided with a press or die which exerts pressure upon the rail both transversely and longitudinally, assuring the control of flow of the metal during the pressing operation and the producing of a rail which is increased in cross-section throughoutits length and is shorter than before subjection to my apparatus. The apparatus is also preferably provided with means for crimping a heated rail, with means for moving the crim ped rail into the cavity of the die or press,with means for limiting the transverse and longitudinal movements of the rail while under pressure, and with means for removing the reworked rail from the press or die.

In the accompanying drawings I have shown an apparatus made under my invention.

Figure l is in part a side elevation and in part a longitudinal section on linel l of Figs. 3, 4L, 5, and 7, with thesnpports for the crimping-rolls omitted. Fig. 2 is an enlarged vertical longitudinal section of details on line 11 of Fig. Fig. 3 is a rear end elevation of the press and of the discharge illustrated in Fig. 1, with supply-pipes, valve mechanism, and blocks F and F omitted. Fig. 4 is an enlarged vertical cross-section of the press on line 44 of Fig. 1 looking forward. Fig. 5 is a detailed plan view with the rear portion of the apparatus broken away and crimping 13 of Fig. 8.

mechanism omitted. Fig. 6 is an enlarged detailed vertical longitudinal section on line 6 6 of Fig. 5. Fig. 7 is a detailed vertical transverse section on line 7 7 of Fig. 1. Fig. 8 is an enlarged detailed vertical section -on line 8 8, Fig. 5, illustrating means for feeding the press. Fig. 9 is a detailed horizontal cross-section of a guide on line-9 9 of Fig. 1. Fig. 10 is an enlarged section of a valve on line 10 10 of Fig. 5. Fig. 11 is a similar view on line 11 11 of Fig. 5. Fig. 12 is a detailed rear elevation with parts broken away. Fig. 13 is a vertical transverse section on line 13 Fig. 14: represents a side elevation of a worn rail, the side elevation of the same rail after crimping, and the approximate form of the rail after passing through my apparatus. Fig. 15 is an enlarged crosssection of a compressed rail, with the form of the rail before treatment shown in dotted lines. Fig. 16 is a detailed vertical longitudinal section on line 16 16 of Fig. 5.

Similar letters refer to similar parts thrbughout the several views.

The form of my apparatus shown in the drawings consists of rail-crimping mechanism, a rail-press, and mechanism designed tocooperate in feeding a rail into the press, discharging the rail, and withdrawing it from the apparatus.

I prefer to use a vertical press, and in constructing the preferred form A thereof, Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 8, I preferably use a top frame B and a bottom frame B, which are substantially alike, and connect and hold them in position by means of bolts 0, provided with spacing-flanges c. and o and nuts 0 The bottom frame supports the lower member D, Figs. 1, 8, and 4, of a die, which is preferably secured to press-frame B by means of bolts (1. Its face is preferably shaped so as to give the under side of rails passing through the press the desired form and size, and preferably contains a groove d adapted to form one side of its head. From one side of the die member D a part d projecting upward, is adapted to close one side of the die-cavity D when the die is closed. Above said member of the die a verticallyreciproeating member D is arranged, whose face is like that of member D and contains grooves d and (Z arranged opposite the corresponding grooves in the lower member,and the member D is provided with a downwardly-projecting part (1 adapted to close its side of the die-cavity D. The member D of the die is preferably provided with flanges cl, containing recesses d, Fig. 1, and is shown secured to a platen E by means of bolts (Z inserted laterally into the recesses d and recesses 6 above them in the sides of the platen.

To the sides of the platen E, Figs. 1, 3, 4, and 9, guide-blocks E, each having a slot 8 formed in its face, are secured by bolts 6 and said platen preferably reciprocates between guide plates F, filling said slots 6 of the guide-blocks E, and is shown fastened to the bolts G by means of strapsfand boltsf. The upper member D of the die is guided by guide-blocks F, arranged below the plates F on their side of the press, and at points opposite the blocks F similar blocks F are shown arranged between the bolts 0 and the lower die member D for the purpose of bracing the latter.

The blocks F and F are each secured to bolts 0 by means of an outside guide-plate G and connecting-bolts g. The platen E is preferably operated by means of hydraulic power, and in the preferred form of my press I secure to the top of the platen by means of bolts 6 01- otherwise two rams H, one of which reciprocates in a cylinder I and the other in a cylinder 1, Figs. 1, 3, and 5. The cylinders I and I are shown secured, by means of bolts 2', to the under side of the top frame 13, and water is admitted to and escapes from said cylinders through ports J, coupled to gethe'r by a pipe K, from which pipe K leads to the valve-port 75 of a valve-seat K Figs. 1, 5, and 11. The form of valvular devices illustrated forms no part of my invention. The valve-chest K contains in the valvechamber 7r a slide-valve k governing the port 75 and an exhaust-port A pipe 71; is shown leading from the latter, and the former is shown connected with the supply-main K by means of a pipe 71: The valve 76 is shown operated by means of a lever K, pivotally connected with the valverod 7c, and connected with the valve-chest by means of a link 7c The platen E and the parts thereto attached are preferably raised by means of a pair of rams L, Figs. 1, 2, 3,and 5, preferably arranged above opposite ends of the platen E and each reciprocating in a vertical cylinder L, shown secured to the top frameB by means of bolts Z. Water is admitted to and escapes from said cylinders through ports Z, and said ports are preferably at alltimes connected with the main supply-pipe K by means of pipes Z Z and K The rams L are each shown provided with a T head L, containing a transverse bolthole Z. To the head L a pair of hangers L are shown attached by a bolt 1 passing through their upper ends and through said bolt-holel".

The lower ends of the hangers L are shown secured, by means of bolts 1", to shoulders E projecting from opposite ends of the platen E.

The ends of the die-cavity D are preferably closed by end gates M and M, Figs. 1,

2, 3, 4, 5, and 8, preferably fastened together by means of a pair of bolts M passing on opposite sides of the press. The inner faces of said gates rest against and may be guided and held in position longitudinally by the members D and D of the press-die and are prevented from moving laterally by guideblocks M secured to the bolts M and which move in contact with the guide -plates G, Figs. 1 and 4, hereinafter referred to. Each of the gates M and M preferably contains a central opening 771., passing through it from top to bottom, Figs. 1, 5, and 8, and the gate M, closing the month 61 of the die-cavity D, preferably has a cavity m formed in its inner face, Figs. 8 and 11, and a slot 771 in the under side thereof, Figs. 13 and 14. The gates M and M are raised by means of a pair of vertically-movable cylinders N, Figs. 1, 2, 3, and 5, to which they are connected by hangers N. I prefer to use a pair of these hangers for each gate and preferably secure the upper ends of each pair to opposite sides of the proper cylinder by means of a bolt n and attach their lower ends to lugs on, projecting from the gate, by means of bolts n. The cylinders N each reciprocate upon astationary ram N secured to the top frame B by bolts 12 and which contains a passage 71, connecting the interior of the cylinder N, reciprocating thereon, with a port n The ports n are preferably connected with the port 70 of a valve-chamber 7c of a chest N which, together with its valve and connections, may be exactly like those of the device for governing the passage of water to and from the cylinders L and L. (Illustrated in Fig. 11.)

In the apparatus shown in the drawings the crimping mechanism 0, Figs. 1 and 7, is preferably arranged in front of the press and in position to assist in feeding it. It preferably contains a pair of fluted crimping-rolls 0, each having projections 0, which enter the interdental spaces 0' of the other, and each preferably contains an encircling groove which preferably follows the contour of the roll and preserves substantially the same depth throughout. WVhen the rollers are in position, said grooves come opposite and coact with each other. Each groove is adapted to receive one side of a rail, and the opening 0 formed between the rolls by the two opposite grooves, is preferably adapted to receive the end of a rail P when presented with one side uppermost. The rolls 0 are preferably journaled one above the other in standards 0 and may be provided with intermeshing gears 0", though these are not essential. A pulley O for communicating motion to the rolls is shown attached to one of them. When the crimping-rolls O are in motion in the direction indicated by arrows in Fig. 1, a rail presented to them on the inner side thereof, with one end in position to enter the opening 0 is drawn in, crimped, and forced along in'the direction of the die-cavity of the press. After leaving the crimping-rolls the crimped rail P (in the form of apparatus shown) enters a guiding-trough 0 Figs. 1, 5, and 8, shown supported upon a standard 0 and which preferably contains a sloto extending inwardly for a short distance from the inner end. The crimping-rolls preferably continue to propel the rail forward-until its front end passes beyond said trough and preferably until it reaches a pair of vertical feed-rolls Q, which are preferably used and arranged in posit-ion to receive the crimped rail and pass it onto the press. Said rolls are preferably placed so that they can enter the vertical opening m in the gate M when said gate is lowered and in that way avoid interference while standing nearer the mouth of the die-cavity than would otherwise be practicable. They are preferably supported upon shafts q and driven at a speed enabling them to cooperate with the crimping-rolls. Motion may be communicated to one of said shafts g from a shaft Q through gears g and g and from that shaft to the shaft q of the other roll through gears (1 Figs. 1, 5, l2, and 13, or by any other suitable means. After the crimped rail leaves the crimping-rolls and ceases to receive motion therefrom the feed-rolls Q continue to force it forward into the die-cavity D until its outer end reaches a point where said rolls lose their grip, and it then becomes desirable to supply some additional means for forcing the rail completely into the die-cavity. In the mechanism which I prefer to use for that purpose a reciprocating pusher-foot R is pivoted or hinged to across-head R, preferably by means of a substantially horizontal pivot 'r, and is preferably adapted to turn forward into a substantially horizontal position and to come to rest when turned back into a vertical position against a shoulder r. Said shoulder preferably contains a cavity 1' and at a point near the inner end of this cavity I preferably secure a tension-spring r to the cross-head, and by secu ring the outer end of said spring to the back of the pusher-foot R cause it to tend at all times to draw said foot up against said shoulder r. Slides r preferably project from the ends of the crossheads R and slide in parallel grooves r formed in guides 7". Motion is communicated to the cross-head and the pusher-foot attached thereto through a piston-rod T attached to a piston r which reciprocates in a cylinder R having ports 1"? and 7" and which is shown attached along the under side .of the trough 0 The ports 1- and r are re spectively connected by pipes r and r with ports 1" and r of a valve-chest R Figs. 5 and 10,whose inlet-portr is shown connected with the supply-main K by. pipe k and a pipe 0"" leads from the exhaust-port 1- The valve-chamber 1" contains a slide-valve r 9, which in one position connects the pipe 1' with the exhaust and permits water to pass to a pipe r from the valve-chamber and in the opposite direction connects the pipe 1' with the exhaust and allows water to pass from the valve-chamber to the pipe r. The valve 1 is shown operated by means of a lever R pivotally connected with the rod r and connected with the valve-chest by means of a link 7". The described valve-chest R and its valves and ports may be of any suitable form. When water is admitted to the cylinder R through the port W, the piston r is forced back and draws the cross-head R and pusher-foot R back with it until the latter stands back of the rolls, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 8. The rail to be subjected to the action of the press is then started on its way through the crimping-rolls, and when it reaches the pusher-foot presses it down and passes over it. As soon as the rail has passed the pusher-foot water is admitted to the cylinder through the port 1* and allowed to exhaust through the port 1" and the pusher-- foot R is forced forward and pushes the rail forward into .the die-cavity until the rail is in position to be operated upon by the press. The pusher-foot R preferably stops at the mouth of said cavityin the position in which.

is shown approximately in dotted lines in Fig.

1 and in full lines in Figs. 8 and 14, is substantially straightened and at the same time compressed longitudinally and increased in cross-sectional area, while preferably at the same time kept in the shape of a rail in crosssection by the die. Its form when compressed is indicated in Figs. 1, 3, l4, and 15. the remodeling of the rail is thus accomplished, the end gates and the platen E are both caused to rise by a suitable movement of the proper valve-levers, and the pusherfoot R is then caused to resume its original position.

than the platen E, so as to loosen the ends of the compressed rail, and, though it is not essential, I consider it a good plan to set the end gates in motion before the platen. In its upstroke the platen E preferably rises high enough to have a longitudinal opening in the side of the die-cavity for the passage of means for forcing the compressed rail P far enough forward to enable it to be gripped by suitable means for drawing it out of the When I prefer to so proportion the parts as to cause the end gates to rise more rapidlypress. In the form of discharger mechanism S, Figs. 3, 5, 6, and 16, which I prefer to use a cylinder S, provided with trunnions s and 3, turns in a horizontal plane in bearings 3 shown supported by a standard S It contains a reciprocating piston .9 to which a piston-rod s is attached. The piston-rod 8' projects through the inner end of said cylinder, and the outer end of said rod is preferably provided with a finger s adapted to enter the opening in the side of the diecavity when the platen E is at the end of its upstroke and said finger is in its outermost position, as shown in Fig. 3. The finger s is caused to extend forward far enough to enter said die-cavity by admitting water through a port .9 back of the piston s and is drawn out of said cavity by admitting water through a port 5 in front of said piston and allowing the water back of the piston to exhaust through the port .9 To the ends of each of the trunnions s and .9 tubes s and 3 whose outer ends are closed and which each contain perforations 3 are respectively attached. The tube .9 is connected with the port 5 by means of a pipe 5 and the tube 8 is connected with the port 3 by means of a pipe 3 Tube 3 rotates in a pipe-coupling 8 which connects its perforations s with a pipe 5 The pipes 5 and 5 lead, respectively, to ports 1" and 1' of a valve-chest S which, together with its interior mechanism, is preferably exactly like the valve-chest R Fig. 10, and corresponding parts are lettered alike in each. The chest S is shown connected with the supply-main by pipes .9 and it In operating the discharger the piston s is forced out to the end of the stroke, so that its finger s is directly behind the rear end of the rail, as shown in Figs. 3 and 5, and then while thus extended they are moved forward in the arc of a circle and made to force the compressed rail far enough in the die-cavity to enable the rotating withdrawing-rolls T to catch it. After that water is admitted into the cylinder through the port .9 and the piston-rod retracted and its finger s drawn out of the opening through the side of the die. At the same time the cylinder S and said piston-rod and finger are caused to swing back until the cylinder is once more in the position in which it is illustrated. This swinging motion is preferably communicated to the cylinder S by means which I will now describe. A cylinder 8, attached to and supported by the standard S contains a reciprocating piston-head .9 whose piston-rod s is provided at its outer end with a T-head which is shown connected with trunnions 5 projecting from the cylinder S, by means of links .9 The cylinder S is provided with ports 5 and from which pipes s and 8 lead to a valve-chest S which in appearance and details may be like valve-chests R and S The pipe .9 preferably connects with a port 1' and pipe with a port 0. The withdrawing-rolls T, Figs. 1 and 14, are preferably like the rolls Q hereinbefore described and preferably rotate at about the same speed and in the same direction. Preferably they are arranged immediately beneath the opening in in the gate M, as shown, and enter said opening when the gate is lowered. They are supported upon shafts 25, journaled in bearings 25' and 29. One of the shafts t in the arrangementillustrated receives motion from a shaft T through gears t and t and from that shaft motion is communicated to the shaft t of the other roll through gears t or any other suitable means. When the compressed rail P is pushed far enough out of the cavity D to be gripped by the rolls T, they catch it and continue its withdrawal until it is pulled completely out of the die-cavity. After it leaves said rolls it may be removed from their neighborhood by any suitable means.

While I have herein shown and described a form of apparatus embodying my invention which I prefer, yet I do not desire to be understood as confining myself thereto, as modifications will readily suggest themselves to skilled persons.

What I claim is- 1. The combination, in a press for increasing the cross-sectional area of a metal rail or analogous article, of means for subjecting a crimped rail or article to transverse pressure applied to the crimped sides of the article, whereby the rail or article is given a tendency to lengthen; means for limiting the movement of the article at an angle to said crimped sides, and means, against which the extreme ends of the article abut, for limiting the 1011- gitudinal movement of the article, while being subjected to pressure; substantially as and for the purpose described.

2. In an apparatus for increasing the crosssectional area of metal rails or analogous articles, the combination of crimping-rolls for crimping the article and passing it into a press having means for subjecting the rail or article to transverse pressure applied to the crimped sides of the article, whereby the rail or article is given a tendency to lengthen, and with means for limiting the movement of the article at an angle to said crimped sides, and means, against which the extreme ends of the article abut, for limiting the longitudinal movement of the article, while being subjected to pressure; substantially as and for the purpose described.

3. The combination, in a press of the character described, of a platen; means for operating it; an end gate having an opening for the reception of feed rolls; and feed-rolls Whose ends pass into said opening when the gate is closed, substantially as and for the purpose described.

at. The combination, in a press of the character described, of a platen; means for operating it; an end gate having an opening for the reception of feed-rolls; feed-rolls whose ends pass into said opening when the gate is closed; and rolls for withdrawing the compressed article from the press, substantially as and for the purpose described.

5. The combination, in a press of the char acter described, of rolls for feeding the press; a pusher-foot adapted to pass between the rolls; a cross-head; means pivotally connecting said pusher -foot to said cross head; guides between which the cross-head reciprocates; and means for causing said crosshead and the pusher-foot thereby carried, to reciprocate, and in their outward stroke to pass between and beyond said feed-rolls, substantially as and for the purpose described.

6. The. combination, of a pair of fluted crimping-rolls, each having projections which enter the interdental spaces of the other; and-each containing an encircling groove following the contour thereof, and said grooves coming opposite each other and forming a cavity adapted to receive the end of a rail or analogous article, substantially as and for the purpose described. I

7. In an apparatus'for increasing the crosssectional area of metal rails or analogous articles, a platen for subjecting th'earticle to transverse pressure; a die having means to limit the longitudinal and sectional movements of the article; means for separating the platen and die far enough to leave a lateral opening; an arm having an end adapted to enter said opening; and means for int-reducing said end into the opening and moving it longitudinally of the die, substantially as and for the purpose described.

8. The combination of a cylinder S, provided with trunnions s and s; bearings 8 a piston-head s reciprocating in the cylinder S; a piston-rod, 8 attached to said head, and having a finger a cylinder S means for introducing water at each'end of the cylinder S; apiston-head,s reciprocating in said cylinder; and means connecting said piston-head to the cylinder S, substantially as and for the purpose described.

9. In an apparatus for increasing the crosssectional area of metal rails or analogous articles, means for subjecting a crimped article to transverse pressure, means for limiting the longitudinal and sectional movements of the article, and means for removing the pressed article from the apparatus, substantially as and for the purpose described.

10. In an apparatus for increasing the crosssectional area of metal rails or analogous articles, means for feeding a crimped article into a press; a press having means for subjecting the article to transverse pressure; means for limiting the longitudinal and sectional movements of the article; and means for removing the pressed article from the apparatus, substantially as and for the purpose described.

11. In an apparatus for increasing the crosssectional area of metal rails or analogous articles, means for crimping an article and passing it into a press; a press having means for subjecting the article to transverse pressure and means for limiting the longitudinal and sectional movements of the article; and means for removing the pressed article from the apparatus, substantially as and for the purpose described.

12. The combination, in an apparatus for repressing metal rails or analogous articles, of a press provided with a die and platen for forming the article; rolls for withdrawing the pressed article from the press, and means for removing the article and bringing it into engagement with the withdrawing-rolls, substantially as and for the purpose described.

13. The combination, in an apparatus for repressing metal rails or analogous articles, of a press provided with a die and platen for forming the article, said die havinga removable end; rolls for withdrawing the pressed article from the press, and means for removing the article from the press, after the end of the die has been removed, and bringing it into engagement with the withdrawing-rolls, substantially as and for the purpose described.

14:. The combination, in an apparatus for repressing metal rails or analogous articles, of a press provided with a die and platen for forming the article; means for passing the article to be treated into the press; rolls for Withdrawing the pressed article from the press, and means for removing the article and bringing it into engagement with the with drawing-rolls, substantially as and for the purpose described.

In witness whereof I have hereunto signed my name this 25th day of July, 1900.

GEORGE SPENCER/MERRILL.

In presence of- I JAMES KINGSLEY BLAKE, GEORGE LEETE PECK. 

